The history of Buddhism in Vietnam
From the beginning to the Ly Dynasty
I. The First Era Of Buddhism In Vietnam:
1. The paths that Buddhism entered Vietnam: Buddhism was originated in India (Ãn Độ) and then spread to neighbor countries by two paths: land and sea. By land, Buddhism entered to the mid- Asian countries such as Tibet (Tây Tạng), Mongolia (Mông Cỗ), China (Trung Hoa). From China, it spread to Korea (Cao Ly), Japan (Nhật Bản) and finally Vietnam. From Sir Lanka, Buddhism entered to Malaysia (Mã Lai), Indonesia (Nam Dương) then Vietnam by the sea path.
2. The cultural influence on Vietnam due to its geographical location: Vietnam lies between India and China; therefore, it was influenced by the cultures of these two countries. On the historical aspect, Vietnam was ruled by the Chinese at the time; therefore, Vietnam was more influenced by the Chinese civilization.
3. The introduction period of Buddhism: The following historical documents showed the Beginning Era of Buddhism:
a. In the biographies which were written by Vietnamese Buddhist monks in 13th and 14th
centuries: "During the Han dynasty (Chinese) in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, several famous Buddhist monks came to introduce Buddhism in North Vietnam using sea and land routes.
The Venerables Ma-Ha-Kỳ-Vực (Marijivaka), Khương-Tăng-Hội (K'and Seng Houei), Mâu Bác (Méou Pô), and The Venerable Chi-Cương-Lương.
b. According to the lectures of Đàm Thuyên: During the reign of King Cao Tổ of Tùy Dynasty (Chinese), 20 Buddhist towers were built, and more than 500 Buddhist monks practiced and preached Buddhism in Vietnam. At the same time, 15 sets of sutras were translated.
c. According to the documents of Pháp Vụ Thực Lưc: In the 3rd century, a man named Kaudra from India came to Vietnam at the same time as the Venerable Ma-Ha-Kỳ-Vực to preach Buddhism.
d. By the historical sources mentioned above, we understand that: Buddhism entered in Vietnam during the Han Dynasty, at the end of 2nd century and the beginning of the 3rd century. The first Buddhist preachers in Vietnam were the Venerables: Ma-Ha-Kỳ-Vực, Khương-Tăng-Hội, Chi-Cương-Lương and Mâu-Bác. Among these preachers, only Mâu-Bác was Chinese, the others were Indians. The Venerable Mâu-Bác was the first to preach Buddhism in Giao Châu Province (NorthVietnam), 189 A.D. Therefore, we can conclude that Buddhism entered Vietnam at the end of the 2nd century.
4. Buddhist branches entering Vietnam: The most favored branch at the time was Thuyền Tôn Branch (emphasizing meditation). This was the first branch to enter Vietnam by The Venerable Tỳ-Ni-Đa-Lưu-Chi (Vinitaruci) in 580 A.D. He was the first ancestor, and it was succeeded by Venerable Pháp Hiền.
During the Duong's dynasty (820 A.D.), The Venerable Vô-Ngôn-Thông came to Vietnam from China to preach Buddhism and formed a second meditation branch. Later, other branches such as Thảo-Đương, Tào-Động, Lâm-Tế v.v. consecutively entered Vietnam. However, the Thuyền Tôn branch had the most influence on the people.
II. The Revolution of Buddhism:
1. During the Last Ly-Nam-De's Dynasty (571-602) and The third Chinese dominations (602-939): Although Buddhism had been practiced in Vietnam for more than 300 years (189-548) from the time it first entered to the beginning of Lý-Nam-Đế Dynasty, the religion was still in its embryonical period, not yet well-known. Buddhism started to gain its popularity in the last Ly- Nam-De's ruling and the beginning of the third Chinese domination. At this time, The Venerable
Ty-Ni-Da-Luu-Chi from China (580), brought in the Thuyền Tôn branch, which was most favored by the Vietnamese people, and Buddhism was widely spread throughout the country. Note that first two groups of Buddhist preachers were Chinese; whereas the third group consisted
of all 6 Vietnamese preachers. Four of them were from Giao-Chau Province: Vân-Kỳ Thiền sư, Mộc-Xoa-Đà-Bà, Khuy-Sung Pháp sư and Huệ-Diêm Pháp sư, and the other two were from Ai- Chau province: Trí-Hành Thiền sư and Đại-Thặng-Đăng Thiền sư.
2. Buddhism During Dinh's Dynasty (968-980) and First Le's Dynasty (980-1009): During Dinh dynasty, Buddhism became a major religion. Most government affairs were guided by Buddhist monks; therefore, Buddhism was easily publicized even though Taoism (Lão giáo) and Confucianism (Nho Giáo) had been practiced long before it. In the National Board of Affairs, The Venerable Ngô-Chân-Lưu held a position as National Advisor, and Venerable Trương-Ma-Ni and
Dharma Master Đăng-Huyền-Quang held other important positions.
When Dinh dynasty ended, the first Le (Lê Đại Hành) Dynasty took over the ruling and fòught against the invasion of Tong (980). In this period, Buddhist monks were in favor, and King Lê-Đại-Hành frequently invited the highly honored monks to the his palace for advice and to discuss ways of Buddhism preachings. Note that when Vietnam and China (Tong dynasty) had signed the Peace Treaty, King Lê-Đại- Hành sent ministers to China requesting for Buddhist sutras such as "Đại Tạng" and "cửu Kinh" for followers. This was a first request of Buddhist sutras in Vietnam.
3. Buddhism During The Ly Dynasty (1010-1225):
a. Lš-Thái-T° (1010-1028) - His true name was Lý-Công-Uẩn, who was adopted by a Buddhist monk named Lý-Khánh-Vân. As a child, he lived at the Cổ-Tháp Pagoda and learned from the teachings of The Venerable Vạn-Hạnh Thiên sư. After the death of King Lê-Ngọa- Triều, Lý-Thái-Tổ inherited the throne and named his term as "Thuận Thiên", and lived at Thăng-Long citadel (Hà-Nội today). Lý-Thái-Tổ was a true Buddhist, therefore, during his reign, he emphasized the speading of Buddhism. He built many temples and strongly supported monks in their studies and practices. One remarkable note was that in his 9th year
(1019), he sent several ministers to China to request for Buddhist sutras. This dynasty was described as Vietnam's most peaceful period. Many well known Buddhist monks such as Vạn-Hạnh Thiền sư, Đa-Bảo Thiền sư, and Sùng-Phạm Thiền sư were highly respected by the King and citizens; therefore, Buddhism was easily and quickly spread. These monks studied and practiced Buddhism from the two branches of Meditation: Tỳ-Ni-Đa-Lưu-Chi and Vô-Ngôn-Thông.
b. Lý-Thái-Tôn (1028-1054) - Lý-Thái-Tôn was the successor of Lý-Thái-Tổ. He named his term as "Thuận Thành". He was also a devoted Buddhist. After defeating the Chiêm's invasion at Hoan-Châu province (Nghệ-An today), he built 95 Buddhist temples and during the opening ceremony of the temples, he proclaimed a one year tax-free bill for all citizens throughout the country.
In 1034, he renamed his term as "Thông Thøy". In this period, the Chinese (Tong dynasty) granted major volumns of Buddhist sutras (Đại Tạng Kinh), which were carried to Vietnam by the Chinese messengers. This was a favorable occasion for Buddhism in Vietnam. And it was also an honor to the Ly's dynasty at that time. In this Dynasty, many well known Buddhist monks such as Huệ-Sinh Thiền sư, Định-
Hương elderly and Thuyền-Lão Thiền sư had made valuable contributions in spreading Buddhism.
c. Lý-Thánh-Tôn (1054-1072) - Lý-Thánh-Tôn was the successor of Lý-Thái-Tôn. In his reign, he changed the name of the country from Giao-Châu to Đại-Việt (which is known as Vietnam today) and named his term as "Long Thụy Thái Bình". He was also a devoted Buddhist. In his fifth year of ruling, he built several Buddhist temples and towers and molded a 12 thousand kilogram brass bell at Bä-Thiên village in Hà-Nội Province. This bell is still existing today. In 1069, a branch of Mediation was brought into Vietnam from China by Venerable Thảo Đương, a disciple of Tuyết-Đậu-Minh-Giác. Thereafter, King Lý-Thánh-Tôn learned from his teachings and became the first disciple of this branch of Meditaion. Thảo-Đường was a third branch of meditation.
d. Lý-Nhân-Tôn (1072-1127) - Lý-Nhân-Tôn was the successor of Lý-Thánh-Tôn. Even though he was reigned such a oneng age, he was very intelligent and brave. Being impressed with Buddhism, he set aside from ruling, and spent most of his leisure time on spreading Buddhism. During this dynasty, there were many outstanding Buddhist monks such as Viên- Chiếu Thiền sư who had written several valuable books called "Dược Sư Thập Nhị Nguyện Văn", "Tân Viên Giác Kinh", etc... Whereas, Ngộ-Ấn Thiền sư concentrated on preaching the Buddha's Teachings. Therefore, Buddhism at this time was widely spread and mostly honor by the citizens.
e. Lý-Thần-Tôn (1128-1138), Lý-Anh-Tôn (1138-1175), Lý-Cao-Tôn (1176-1210) and Lý-Huệ- Tôn (1211-1225): During these four dynasties, Buddhism remained popular, but nothing was notable. In each of the first three dynasties there were several well known Buddhist monks such as Minh-Không and Thông-Biến Thiền sư in Lý-Thần-Tôn's reign, Bảo-Giám and Viên-Thông Thiền sư in Lš-Anh-Tôn's reign, and Trương-Tam-Tạng in Lý-Cao-Tôn's reign.
But during Lý-Huệ-Tôn's reign, the country was in a state of declining, the kingdom was corrupted, and the citizens were living in an unsafe environment. Because of these corruptions, the King was very discouraged; therefore, during his 14th year, he passed down the throne to his daughter, Lý-Chiêu-Hoàng, who was known as Chúa-Phật-Kim princess, and then left the palace to become a Buddhist monk at Chân-Giáo Pagoda. He named himself as Huệ-Quang Đại sư.
In summary, Buddhism was the most popular religion in Vietnam during the Ly dynasty. Throughout 215 years of ruling, all the kings honored Buddhism. Besides, they were helped by many well known Buddhist monks; therefore, the influence of Buddhism was widely spread and had brought many benefits to the country.
Trung Thiện
1. Ðức Phật Di Lặc- Di Lac Buddha
2. Ngài Văn Thu Sư Lợi Bồ Tát- Superior wisdom Bodhisattva
3. Chùa Báo Quốc- Bao Quoc Pagoda
4. Chùa Thuyền Tôn - Thuyen Ton Pagoda
5. Lý Nhân Duyên Sanh- The Law of Causality
6. Lý Nhân Quả- The Law of Cause and Effect
8. Mười Ðiều Thiện - Ten Good Deeds
9. An Cư Kiết Hạ - The Summer Retreat
10. Năm Uẩn - The Five Aggregater(5 Skandhas)